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Congregational History

The Lime Creek Evangelical Lutheran Church, which has often been referred to as the “Mother Church” of our dear Evangelical Lutheran Synod by many pastors and laymen, is located six miles north of Lake Mills or three miles southwest of Emmons, Minnesota, in Norway Township.

It is rather difficult to determine the exact date or even the year of the organization of our congregation. According to records the first settlers of Norwegian descent came originally from Muskego, Wisconsin in 1856 or 1859.

The Rev. C. L. Clausen, was ordained by the German Lutheran Pastor L. F. Krause of the Buffalo Synod on October 18, 1843. In 1852, the Rev. Clausen, together with two friends from Rock Prairie, Wisconsin made an expedition west, crossing the Mississippi River and following the Iowa-Minnesota State Line until they reached the Cedar River. At this point they turned to their left and came to the city of St. Ansgar. The fertile prairie, rivers and timbers of this area appealed to them. The Rev. Clausen had seen many deer gathering at the banks of a stream, so he named it “Deer Creek”. The Rev. Clausen and his two friends returned to Rock Prairie; however, he returned later that year in order to make preparations for the new colony. This colony, which was organized with a caravan of 40 families, comprised of fifty wagons, which cost $48.00 each, arrived in the St. Ansgar area in the spring of 1853. They also brought with them about 300 head of cattle.

At this point, I may relate a story told to me many times during my boyhood by my Great Uncle P. H. Petersen, also known as “Halvor Paer”. He stated that he walked from St. Ansgar to the old Petersen farm five miles northwest of Lake Mills in one day without food, because he had no money and he was ashamed to beg. A grist mill was located at St. Ansgar and the early settlers would, in the fall, go there to grind flour for the winter supply.

The first settlers in Silver Lake and Bristol Townships had their first Norwegian service at the home of Lars L. Loberg on July 20, 1858. The following pastors served this area: A. C. Preus, V. Koren and C. L. Clausen. Services were held four times a year. The four congregations of Lime Creek, Shell Rock, Silver Lake and Round Prairie were organized in 1859, but the exact date is not known. Each congregation had its own ecclesiastical corporation and therefore had full power to regulate its own affairs. Pastor Clausen wrote four articles stating the fundamental principles of the church.

The following year, 1860, the congregation in the west part of the district, namely Lime Creek, withdrew and organized as an individual congregation.

On May 18 and 19, 1865, a meeting was attended by Pastors H. A. Preus, J. A. Otteson, V. Koren and C. L. Clausen, On the first day a call was extended to Candidate of Theology T. A. Torgerson. He was installed as pastor of Lime Creek on August 21, 1865. Pastor Torgerson was involved in the slavery question of the day and was referred to as a pro-slavery man. But when the Rev. Torgerson discussed the slavery question in the light of God’s Word, he spoke “as the oracles of God.” 1 Peter 4, 11: “If any man speak let him speak as the oracles of God.” He enlisted as a volunteer in the army of the North and fought for the emancipation of slaves. He continued to serve the congregation until his death, January 7, 1906. Lime Creek then severed its relations with Silver Lake and Concordia and joined with the Lake Mills congregation.

At a meeting on February 24, 1869, a motion was made by H. G. Emmons to withdraw from the Synod, thus causing the first division in the Lime Creek congregation.

[In 1887, the Rev. T. A. Torgerson advised those members who lived 6-7 miles southwest of Lime Creek in the Scarville, Iowa, area to begin meeting under his guidance in their homes. This group officially formed the Immanuel Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran Church in 1907.]

In 1906 the Rev. A. J. Torgerson, son of T. A. Torgerson became the pastor after his father’s death.

The Rev. O. Otteson was called and installed as pastor on August 4, 1907. On January 11, 1909, he resigned and preached his farewell sermon on August 8. On September 18, Prof. J. E. Thoen of Luther Academy in Albert Lea conducted the call meeting. A call was sent to the Rev. Henry Ingebritson, but due to illness in his family, he was not installed as pastor until the fall of 1911. Prof. Thoen served in the interim.

During the Rev. Ingebritson’s pastorate, the controversy of “Opgjør” occurred causing untold troubles in the congregation. It was settled by a division in the congregation on September 20, 1917. A motion to join the Norwegian Lutheran Church of America was defeated by a 38 to 19 vote. In the spring of 1918 a number of individuals also tendered their resignation. This left the congregation stripped of many members, but it also reestablished peace and unity of doctrine.

Participants at the 1918 meeting at Lime Creek Lutheran Church

Interesting Historical Data

On May 4, 1868, a five man committee consisting of E. E. Emmons, Hellek Knudson, Haakon Rasmusson, Johannes Sene, Knud Singelstad, with The Rev. T. A. Torgerson as an advisory member, was elected to serve as the Church Building Committee.

The Lime Creek Congregation was incorporated and recorded on October 24, 1869.

On May 7, 1870, at a meeting, discussion was held on where to build a church and have a cemetery. Two parcels of land were considered, one on the State Line and the other belonging to A. Herfendal, the latter being more desirable as it was more centrally located. Three acres were purchased at $12.00 per acre. January 31, 1871, the $36.00 were paid and a deed was received.

On December 12, 1872, the church building plans were discussed. It was decided to build as soon as possible.

February 2, 1874, final plans for the building were given. The dimensions of the church were to be 36x60x22; the tower to be 12x14 and the height of the steeple to be 92 feet from the ground. The Building Committee at this time consisted of the Rev. T. A. Torgerson, Ingebrit M. Fole, Ole M. Dahle and John I. Sime.

March 5, 1875 the committee was authorized to borrow $250.00 to pay a contractor even if they had to pay 24% interest.

March 27, 1888 the church interior was completed. The Building Committee at that time was composed of the Rev. T. A. Torgerson, Johann Ludvig, I. Martinson, Ole Fole, P. H. Petersen, Ole M. Dale and John Brudvig.

December 2, 1895, the Young Peoples’ Society was thanked for the large chandelier. It cost $67.95 and came from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

In 1900 the first Parochial School was started with Ragnhild Landsrud the teacher.

August 5, 1906, it was decided to build a parsonage near the church. Minnie Teslo was to be the teacher in the school for the coming school year.

December 1, 1910, Sarah Stene was to be the teacher for the coming year.

March 12, 1918, the building of a parsonage became a reality on five acres of land donated by Mr. Tom Severson.

It is stated that these words taken from the book of Revelation 22, 20, are inscribed on our church bell, “Jeg kommer snart, Amen, Ja kom Herre Jesus, Halleluja!” (“Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so come, Lord Jesus”) Certainly these words should serve us all as a reminder to be ever thankful to our God who has given us and has preserved for us the true Word of God in the parish. May this be our most treasured heritage for time and eternity.

(Compiled by for the 125th Anniversary Festival of Lime Creek Evangelical Lutheran Church 1860-1985 - Lars Petersen, Secretary. Pictures of the Lime Creek school boys from the files of Scarville Lutheran member Mrs. Vivian Brudvig)